Perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis in adult patients: The first multicenter clinical practice audit with intervention in Greek surgical departments

Analysis of the appropriateness of antibiotic prophylaxis in surgical procedures in Spain. Protocol for the "ProA-Q" study

Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis is one of the most useful measures to prevent surgical wound infection.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this project is to evaluate the appropriateness of the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in surgical procedures performed in Spanish hospitals, both globally and according to the type of surgery performed.

METHOD

For this purpose, an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional and multicenter study has been designed to collect all the variables that allow the evaluation of the appropriateness of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis by comparing the prescribed treatment, the recommendations included in the local guidelines and the consensus document of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology and the Spanish Association of Surgeons. Indication, choice of antimicrobial, dose, route and duration of administration, timing, re-dosing and duration of the prophylaxis will be taken into account. The sample will consist of patients who underwent scheduled or emergency surgery, either as inpatients or outpatients, in hospitals in Spain. A sample size of 2,335 patients has been established to estimate, with 95% confidence and 80% power, a percentage of appropriateness that is expected to be around 70%. Differences between variables will be analyzed using Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, or Fisher's test, as appropriate. The degree of agreement between the antibiotic prophylaxis recommended by the guidelines of the different hospitals and that recommended in the literature will be analyzed by calculating the Cohen's kappa indicator. Binary logistic regression analysis using generalized linear mixed models will be performed to identify possible factors associated with differences in the appropriateness of antibiotic prophylaxis.

DISCUSSION

The results of this clinical study will allow us to focus on specific surgical areas with higher rates of inappropriateness, identify key points of action and guide future strategies for antimicrobial stewardship programs in the area of antibiotic prophylaxis.

[Translated article] Analysis of the appropriateness of antibiotic prophylaxis in surgical procedures in Spain. Protocol for the "ProA-Q" study

Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis is one of the most useful measures to prevent surgical wound infection.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this project is to evaluate the appropriateness of the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in surgical procedures performed in Spanish hospitals, both globally and according to the type of surgery performed.

METHOD

For this purpose, an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional, and multicentre study has been designed to collect all the variables that allow the evaluation of the appropriateness of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis by comparing the prescribed treatment, the recommendations included in the local guidelines, and the consensus document of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology and the Spanish Association of Surgeons. Indication, choice of antimicrobial, dose, route and duration of administration, timing, re-dosing, and duration of the prophylaxis will be taken into account. The sample will consist of patients who underwent scheduled or emergency surgery, either as inpatients or outpatients, in hospitals in Spain. A sample size of 2335 patients has been established to estimate, with 95% confidence and 80% power, a percentage of appropriateness that is expected to be around 70%. Differences between variables will be analysed using Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, or Fisher's test, as appropriate. The degree of agreement between the antibiotic prophylaxis recommended by the guidelines of the different hospitals and that recommended in the literature will be analysed by calculating the Cohen's kappa indicator. Binary logistic regression analysis using generalised linear mixed models will be performed to identify possible factors associated with differences in the appropriateness of antibiotic prophylaxis.

DISCUSSION

The results of this clinical study will allow us to focus on specific surgical areas with higher rates of inappropriateness, identify key points of action and guide future strategies for antimicrobial stewardship programs in the area of antibiotic prophylaxis.

Effect of an E-Prescription Intervention on the Adherence to Surgical Chemoprophylaxis Duration in Cardiac Surgery: A Single Centre Experience

In our hospital, adherence to the guidelines for peri-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis (PAP) is suboptimal, with overly long courses being common. This practice does not offer any incremental benefit, and it only adds to the burden of antimicrobial consumption, promotes the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, and it is associated with adverse events. Our objective was to study the effect of an electronic reminder on the adherence to each element of PAP after cardiac surgery. We conducted a single center, before and after intervention, prospective cohort study from 1 June 2014 to 30 September 2017. The intervention consisted of a reminder of the hospital guidelines when ordering PAP through the hospital information system. The primary outcome was adherence to the suggested duration of PAP, while secondary outcomes included adherence to the other elements of PAP and incidence of surgical site infections (SSI). We have studied 1080 operations (400 pre-intervention and 680 post-intervention). Adherence to the appropriate duration of PAP increased significantly after the intervention [PRE 4.0% (16/399) vs. POST 15.4% (105/680), chi-square p < 0.001]; however, it remained inappropriately low. Factors associated with inappropriate duration of PAP were pre-operative hospitalization for <3 days, and duration of operation >4 h, while there were significant differences between the chief surgeons. Unexpectedly, the rate of SSIs increased significantly during the study (PRE 2.8% (11/400) vs. POST 5.9% (40/680), chi-square p < 0.019). The implemented intervention achieved a relative increase in adherence to the guideline-recommended PAP duration; however, adherence was still unacceptably low and further efforts to improve adherence are needed.

The impact of antimicrobial management by clinical pharmacists in obstetrics and gynecology on antimicrobial indicators, bacterial resistance and drug costs from 2011 to 2021 in China

Objectives

The goal of our study is to analyze the effectiveness and role of clinical pharmacists in antibiotic management through retrospective research from 2011 to 2021, depending on the current scenario of the antibiotic application in China.

Methods

We formed a team of pharmacists to carry out multifaceted intervention measures, such as forming a working group, developing a plan, establishing management rules via the pre-trial system, prescription comments, collaborating with the administrative department, implementing training and publicity, and so on. Antibiotic use was studied, bacterial drug resistance was determined, and antibiotic costs were computed.

Results

The pharmacist intervention and rectification of inappropriate antibacterial drug orders considerably enhanced the rational use rate of antibiotics and reduced the cost of antibiotics. Antibiotic use in clean surgery decreased from 90.22% to 11.14%, the use rate of antibiotics decreased from 63.82% to 30.26%, and antibiotic use intensity decreased from 42.75DDDs to 30.04DDDs. The types, timing, and course of antibacterials used in wards were all improved to varying degrees. Bacterial drug resistance improved noticeably, with resistance of Escherichia coli to cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin and carbapenems decreased in varying degrees. The use of antibacterial drugs has decreased significantly.

Conclusions

It is feasible and effective for pharmacists in gynecology and obstetrics to control antibiotic use, which plays a positive role in promoting the safe, effective, and cost-effective use of antibiotics and serves as a valuable reference for the antibiotic management.

Appropriateness of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in Japanese university hospitals

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the adherence to the Japanese surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) guidelines in Japanese university hospitals.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Fifteen general and one dental university hospitals.

METHODS

We evaluated up to three cases of 18 designated surgeries regarding adherence to Japanese SAP guidelines: selection of antibiotics, timing of administration, re-dosing intervals, and duration of SAP. When all items were appropriate, surgery was defined as 'appropriate.'

RESULTS

In total, 688 cases (22-45 cases per surgery) were included. The overall appropriateness was 46.8% (322/688), and the appropriateness of each surgery ranged from 8.0% (2/25, cardiac implantable electronic device implantation) to 92.1% (35/38, distal gastrectomy). The appropriateness of each item was as follows: pre/intraoperative selections, 78.5% (540/688); timing of administrations, 96.0% (630/656); re-dosing intervals, 91.8% (601/656); postoperative selection, 78.9% (543/688); and duration of SAP, 61.4% (423/688). The overall appropriateness of hospitals ranged from 17.6% (9/51) to 73.3% (33/45). The common reasons for inappropriateness were the longer duration (38.5%, 265/688) and choice of antibiotics with a non-optimal antimicrobial spectrum before/during, and after surgery (19.0%, 131/688 and 16.8%, 116/688, respectively), compared to the guideline.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to the guidelines differed greatly between the surgeries and hospitals. Large-scale multicentre surveillance of SAP in Japanese hospitals is necessary to identify inappropriate surgeries, factors related to the appropriateness, and incidences of surgical site infections.